Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE POLISH CHILDREN WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO
HOUSE KNOCKING ON THE DOORS. THE PEOPLE INVITED THEM INSIDE
WHERE ONE OF THE CHILDREN WOULD BRUSH THE PERSON ACROSS THE ANKLES
WITH A SWITCH WHILE THE OTHERS RECITED A SPECIAL GROUP OF WORDS.
WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED, THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WOULD GIVE THEM
A BLESSED EGG, A PIECE OF CANDY, OR IN MOST CASES, MONEY.
THIS WAS CALLED DINGUS DAY, THE NAME DERIVED FROM THE WORDS RECITED;
DINGUS, DINGUS, PODINGUS...
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; RITUAL SPEECH ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
AFTER-EASTER CUSTOM
DYNGUS DAY (SWITCH DAY)--ON EASTER MONDAY, BOYS IN CERTAIN POLISH
VILLAGES WILL SWITCH GIRLS THEY LIKE ON THE LEGS WITH A WILLOW
BRANCH, AND THEN WILL POUR A LITTLE WATER ON THEIR LEGS TO TEASE
THEM; SORT OF A COUNTERPART TO OUR SADIE HAWKINS DAY.
Where learned: OVER THE TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
BURPING
IN INDIA THE PLEASING MANNER OF EXPRESSING A GOOD MEAL IS TO BURP
IN YOUR HOSTESS'S PRESENCE.
THIS IS REMEMBERED AS A COMMENT AFTER A VERY GOOD MEAL AT A FINE
RESTAURANT IN ATHENS, GREECE.
Where learned: GREECE ; ATHENS
Keyword(s): POLITENESS BURPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 08-00-1969
THE WORMS CRAWL IN
YOU SHOULD NEVER LAUGH AS THE HEARSE GOES BY
'CAUSE YOU MIGHT BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
THEY'LL PUT YOU IN A WOODEN BOX
AND COVER YOU UP WITH DIRT AND ROCKS.
ALL GOES FINE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK
AND THEN THE COFFIN BEGINS TO LEAK.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.
YOUR INSIDES TURN A SLIMY GREEN
AND PUSS FLOWS OUT JUST LIKE WHIPPED CREAM.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRADE SCHOOL ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): DECAY OF BODY AFTER DEATH ; GORE, GOTHIC HORROR ; PINOCHLE, A CARD GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Death Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
BIG NOSE
CHRIS BELIEVED, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, THAT IF SHE TOLD A LIE
HER NOSE WOULD GROW.
Submitter comment: SHE THINKS HER PARENTS LED HER TO THAT BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LYING ; PINOCCHIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
LYRICAL VERSE
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT RAINS OR FREEZES,
LONG AS I HAVE MY PLASTIC JESUS,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
THUNDER ROAR AND LIGHTNING CRASH,
I WON'T FEAR; HE'S ON THE DASH,
TAKE HIM WITH YOU WHEN YOU TRAVEL FAR.
OH, I CAN DRIVE FROM COAST TO COAST,
LONG AS I HAVE MY HOLY GHOST,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
GOIN' NINETY I AIN'T WARY,
CAUSE I GOT MY VIRGIN MARY,
GUARANTEEIN' I WON'T GO TO HELL.
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S DARK AND SCARY,
LONG AS I HAVE MY VIRGIN MARY,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SAILING CLUB PARTY
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL ; FEMININE RHYME ; IMPERFECT RHYME: FREEZES JESUS ; RELIGION ; RHYME: AABCCB ; SLANG FOR DASHBOARD CLIPPING ; STATUES USED AS AMULETS IN AUTOMOBILES ; TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
WORMS
REMEDY FOR PINWORMS: ONE-HALF TEASPOON OF SUGAR, TWO DROPS OF SPIRITS
TURPENTINE. TAKE ORALLY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): PINWORMS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 03-22-1967
SURVAKNIZA NEW YEAR
AROUND THE NEW YEAR IN BULGARIA, THE CHILDREN PEEL OFF THE OUTSIDE
BARK OF A PARTICULAR KIND OF TREE BRANCH SO THAT THE BRANCHES
BRANCH OUTWARD IN A CONICAL EFFECT. THESE SHAPED BRANCHES ARE
THEN DECORATED WITH BITS OF CLOTH AND ORNAMENTS. THE EFFECT IS
MUCH LIKE A SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE CHILDREN OF
THE AREA PAT PEOPLE ON THE BACK WITH THESE BRANCHES, WISHING THEM
PROSPERITY AND GOOD HEALTH FOR THE COMING YEAR. HOMES ARE BLESSED,
ALSO LIVE STOCK AND ANIMALS WITH A TOUCH OF THE TREE BRANCH.
IN RETURN FOR THIS THE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN SMALL PRESENTS, TOYS
AND CANDIES BY THE RECIPIENTS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS WITH DELIGHT PARTICIPATING IN THIS CUSTOM
AS A YOUNG BOY. HE CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A VERY NICE CUSTOM,
WITH A GOOD PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING ; PROSPERITY ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
LEGEND OF BEAR ISLAND
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE FAMOUS MICHIGAN BEAR
ISLAND WAS MADE. IT WAS SAID THAT A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS
WERE ATTEMPTING TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT THEY EACH WERE
OVERCOME BY EXHAUSTION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SWIM 5 TO 6 MILES.
THEIR BODIES NOW FORM THE BIG BEAR ISLAND AND THE TWO SMALL BEAR
ISLANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
EASTERTIDE
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER A BOY WILL MAKE A BRAID OUT OF RIBBON, AND
THEN HE GOES TO THE GIRL OF HIS CHOICE, AND SHE'LL TWIRL AROUND IN
FRONT OF HIM, AS HE HITS HER WITH THE BRAID.
THIS SEEMS TO BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE
Submitter comment:
POLAND. SHE LIVED IN A SMALL VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF WARSAW.
MY INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL GIRL IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
PROVERB
THE FOOT ON THE CRADLE AND THE HAND ON THE DISTAFF IS THE SIGN OF A
GOOD HOUSEWIFE.
Submitter comment: SPANISH SAYING
Where learned: MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): MOTHERHOOD ; SPINNING WHEEL ; SYMBOLS ; WORK, INDUSTRY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN,
BLESS THE BED THAT I LIE ON.
ALL FOUR CORNERS ROUND ABOUT,
WHEN I GET IN, WHEN I GET OUT.
FOUR CORNERS TO MY BED,
FOUR ANGELS ROUND MY HEAD;
ONE TO WATCH AND ONE TO PRAY,
AND TWO TO BEAR MY SOUL AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD IN SCHOOL
Where learned: TOLEDO
Keyword(s): PIOUS DEATH ANGELS SLEEPING BIBLICIAL ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
LITHUANIAN-AMERICAN PALM SUNDAY CUSTOMS
WHEN THE FAMILY WOULD COME HOME FROM CHURCH, THEY WOULD HIT
EACH OTHER WITH THE PALMS THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED, IN ORDER TO
REMIND THE INDIVIDUAL THAT HOLY WEEK IS BEGINNING AND THE
PASSION AND DEATH OF CHRIST WAS SOON TO BEGIN.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 00-00-1924
PROVERB.
KAD NE VARGAI IR BEDOS, TAI BUTIZ VIS KALEDOS.
IF IT WASN'T FOR TROUBLES AND WORRIES, IT WOULD ALWAYS BE CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment: LITHUANIAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HAPPINESS ; PROBLEMS.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
PROVERB
IF JACK'S IN LOVE WITH JILL HE IS NO JUDGE OF HER BEAUTY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BIASED OPINIONS ; NAMES ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
MOVEABLE DATE
TO THE POLISH THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS "DINGUS DAY". BOYS HIT THE
GIRLS WITH SWITCHES IF THEY LIKE THEM.
Submitter comment: MRS. KOBERT IS NOT AWARE OF THIS OCCURING TO DATE IF IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00001920S ; 02-16-1980
SANTA CLAUS COMES WITH A SWITCH AND GIVES A FEW PLAYFUL WHACKS TO
THE CHILDREN BEFORE PASSING OUT PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON ALLEN RD. IN DEARBORN WHO LOST HER
YOUNG DAUGHTER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. AS THE STORY GOES, EVERY NIGHT AT
DUSK, SHE PLACES A DOLL IN THE WINDOW WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM THE
ROAD. THE DOLL IS DRESSED IN APPROPRIATE FASHION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE WEATHER. IT WAS QUITE SCARY TO DRIVE BY THIS HOUSE ON A
DARK DREARY NIGHT WITH A GUY IN THE CAR WHO WAS A DISBELIEVER.
Submitter comment:
THIS SCARY STORY WAS TOLD BY JOHN TO ME IN SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH
SCHOOL. I REALLY DIDNT BELIEVE HIM, YET HE KEPT BUILDING THE STORY
UP. FINALLY AFTER CONSUMING MANY BEERS WE DROVE BY THE HOUSE AND I
WAS PROVED WRONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE THE WEEPING LADY OF BELLE ISLE, WHO ALSO ; LAMENTS THE LOSS OF HER CHILD.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
APPLES IN THE CELLAR
PEACHES ON THE SHELF
I AM GETTING TIRED,
OF LIVING BY MYSELF.
Submitter comment: MISSOURI 1940
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; RHYME: ABCB ; UNHAPPINESS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
LONG MAY YOU LIVE
HAPPY MAY YOU DIE
SITTING ON A LOG
EATING APPLE PIE.
Submitter comment: (1939 BIRCH TREE, MONTANA)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CLIPPED IAMBIC ; DEATH ; HAPPINESS ; HUMOR ; LONGEVITY ; QUATRAIN ; RHYME: ABCB ; WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Good wishes (sincere) |
Date learned: 03-01-1972